Fenway Park Question

[Outta Leftfield]

Here's my new Fenway team, pre-waivers. Thanks for all the advice and discussion that helped me work it out:

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=68599

It was a pretty good draft in that I got most of the players I tried for. I got a lot of the players we discussed--eg Boggs, Dawson, Evans, etc. I clearly need a LF (drafted Rickey; got and dumped the overpriced Dusty), a C, and a replacement for Young at SP--as well as a couple of RPs. I generally go with a cheap bullpen, so that's nothing new for me. I've never had Farr but he came in the autodraft and I'm thinking of trying him out. Any comments or suggestions regarding this team in Fenway would be most welcome. :D :wink:

[Ducky]

Dump Young for Rasmussen if he is available. Keep Buechele, dump the other two third basemen and pick-up an outfielder or two.

Mike

[Outta Leftfield]

Thanks for the suggestions.

This is pre-waivers but Young's exit-visa is already signed and awaiting delivery. :D

I've traded Samuel for Bailor, who can play all OF positions and help me in case I get a lefty LF. I want to keep both Buechele and Presley for now in case both Whitaker and Boggs need to platoon.

Is Boggs OK as a leadoff hitter? He's slow but it's hard to beat that OBP....

[Ducky]

I always bat Boggs third against right handers and 7th or 8th against lefties. As you say, with his high OBP, leadoff works as well unless you are a team built around speed.

Mike

[Outta Leftfield]

Since I drafted but didn't get Rickey H, I don't have a classic leadoff guy--in the sense of combining both great speed and great OBP. I've used Trammell with some success as leadoff in the past when I didn't have the classic type.

Maybe some combo of Trammell/Boggs in the 1-2 slots vs RHP would work, depending on their year. Boggs might work as #2 since his many doubles could drive Trammell home? In general I don't think one can really settle on a lineup till the years start to declare themselves. For example, in Bogg's power year he would seem to belong in #3, and I've used Rickey that way twice in his power years. Otherwise, on this team W Clark seems like a natural #3.

[bjs73]

[quote:7df4870357]Boggs might work as #2 since his many doubles could drive Trammell home?[/quote:7df4870357]

I agree completely. I will caution you in one regard though. HAL (The CD ROM Game) thinks that having an "A" Bunter and a "B" hit and run specialist in the 2 hole is a must.

I don't know what type of team bunt or h&R strategy you employ but I think HAL over does the whole thing from the 2 hole irregardless which would be a waste of a perfectly good .368 card.

All of that rambling to suggest that you need to make sure you click your Boggs don't bunt, don't hit and run, tick marks if you bat him in the 2 hole.

Just a suggestion.

[Outta Leftfield]

I completely agree about HAL--and about the bunt and the hit and run. I think I must hold the world record for fewest bunts and H & R attempted by an 80's manager. As Earl Weaver used to say, "If you play for one run, that's all your going to get." :wink: :D

[Outta Leftfield]

My team has now passed waivers and I think/hope has turned out pretty well. I tried to feature high OBP line-drive lefties and high OBP power-hitting RH. Thanks for all the help. I'm guessing this team will score some runs, given some decent years.

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=68599

My one real question is at catcher. Should I go with Porter (who I now have) or Tettleton (who is a FA). I'm tempted by Tettleton's higher overall OBP, but it seems like he's working against the park to some degree--e.g. no bp singles on some cards and lots of BPHR. Still, his best three cards are pretty good, perhaps even with the park issue. Porter has a better arm and range (though a bit more prone to throwing errors), plus he'll benefit from the 1-19 singles effect for lefties. The ballpark seems to help him a bit more. Plus, on this team, in his unbalanced years, he can platoon with B. Martinez. All in all, I'm leaning toward Porter but remain tempted by Tettleton.

Any comments or advice would be welcome. :D

BTW, I've never used Tartabull and generally favor a lefty DH, but he seems like he'd fit in here really well. Anyone have any experience with Tartabull in Fenway?

[bjs73]

Though my preference would be Tettleton for your squad.

1. His slightly better power will help you on the road.
2. His slight L slant helps offset your lefty hitters.
3. Switch hitting is always a plus.
4. Tettleton has an entire group of similar cards so you're closer to getting your expectations. No surprises. Porter's card range has more variance. You can hit the jackpot in 2 years and then you can also get the stinky years. I like the idea of less risk to start a league.

Porter is more likely to be available mid-season as a pickup option than Tettleton will be. So if you really hate Mickey, you can grab Porter later.

8)

[Outta Leftfield]

Well, you talked me into Tettleton but when I checked the transactions, somebody else had picked him up. Dang!

They really are pretty close. Looks like I'll give Porter a spin and see what I get. Tettleton sometimes ends up on the FA pile because people get impatient with the low BA, so I might get him yet. :D